5 dahilan, bakit dapat tutulan, labanan at biguin ang dagdag singil sa MRT at LRT: 1. The MRT and the LRT has the sufficient income to maintain, improve and expand operations. The real cost of a single ride ticket, which already covers the maintenance and operation, is only P9.50. Collections exceeding this amount go directly to profits. 2. The planned fare hike would not be used to improve service in the MRT/LRT but to pockets of private corporations and foreign banks guaranteed by onerous contracts signed with the government. Every year, the government pays the MRT Corporation P5.2 billion in equity rentals plus a yearly 15% guaranteed return of investments. Filipino taxpayers also pay for the MRTC’s debts to foreign banks amounting to P12.32 billion. 3. The fare hike is a burden to the riding public. The riding public, composed mostly of workers and students, is already burdened by the skyrocketing prices of basic goods and services while being deprived of significant wage hike. Government data show that 63% of MRT/LRT commuters are workers while 35% are students. 4. It is a step towards the privatization. The fare hike is being pushed by the government to attract more investors by showing that it can guarantee huge profits for big business. 5. The MRT/LRT extension project is yet the biggest and most grand privatization project under the administration’s Public-Private Partnership program. Privatization of the MRT and LRT would mean higher fares and more onerous and corrupt contracts. Lastly, it is the duty of the government to provide a safe, efficient and affordable mass transport system.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Aug 2013 06:35:31 +0000
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